The book is composed of the teachings of Archpriest Alexander Vetelev, professor of the Moscow Theological Academy, and Archpriest Nikolai Vedernikov, cleric of the Church of the Martyr John the Warrior, on Yakimanka. Based on many years of spiritual experience, priests note that quite often a person approaches the sacrament of Repentance formally, confession concerns only external actions, does not affect the depth of the heart and therefore does not bring good fruits. The shepherds explain why this happens, what interferes with heartfelt confession, help set the soul of the penitent to true repentance and indicate what exactly should be repented of.